Preselecting switch

ABSTRACT

A miniature preselecting switch comprising a switch plate and two discs at both sides of the switchplate and rigidly connected to each other by a shaft rotatably extending through an aperture in the switchplate and together forming a selecting wheel adapted to be turned to different positions relative to the switchplate. Each disc is provided either with contact springs or printed contact strips which are adapted to engage respectively either with associated contact strips or contact springs on each side of the switchplate so that at each adjustment of the selecting wheel two different circuit connections may be produced.

United States Patent Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Priority PRESELECTING SWITCH 16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 200/11,

200/ l 4, 200/ I66 lnt..Cl "01h 19/58 Field of Search ZOO/5,11,

l4, 166CPC, 168G References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1958 Van Amelsfort 200/1 l(.l0)

Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant ExaminerJ. R. Scott Attorney-Craig, Antonelli, Stewart & Hill ABSTRACT: A miniature preselecting switch comprising a switch plate and two discs at both sides of the switchplate and rigidly connected to each other by a shaft rotatably extending through an aperture in the switchplate and together forming a selecting wheel adapted to be turned to different positions relative to the switchplate. Each disc is provided either with contact springs or printed contact strips which are adapted to engage respectively either with associated contact strips or contact springs on each side of the switchplate so that at each adjustment of the selecting wheel two different circuit connections may be produced.

l PRESELECTING swrrcn The present invention relates to a preselecting switch which may be operated manually and comprises 'a selecting wheel which is provided with contact strip or contact springs which are located within two different planes of this wheel and are respectively associated with contact springs or contact strips on a switchplate so as to produce electric contacts between the contact springs and contact strips within each of the two planes. I

The known preselecting switches of the type as described above are usually designed so as to permit several of them to be mounted adjacent to each other so as to form a bank. The selecting wheel of each switch is usually provided with figures or other symbols on its peripheral surface which indicate the particular position to which the switch is adjusted. This wheel is usually further provided laterally adjacent to these symbols with radially extending projections at least one or another of which projects from the front surface of the switch housing and permits the selecting wheel tobe turned to different positions. 7 I l There is one particular kind of these known preselecting switches which is provided on both lateral sides of the selecting wheel with contact springs which are'adapted to engage with 1 fixed contact strip which are provided on a pair of switchplates. When this selecting wheel is turned, is it closes different electric contacts whichare located within two separate planes. it is thus possible by means of only one preselecting switch to act simultaneously upon two separate circuits. These contact strips may, for example, be distributed so that the switch well be provided with decimal readout connections.

lf several of e these switches are to be combined to form a bank, the two switchplates of each switch which are provided on both sides of the associated selecting wheelwill be located at such a short distance from the switchplates of the adjacent switches that it will be extremely difficult or almost impossible to solder the connecting wires properly to'the terminals of the contact strips on the adjacent switchplates. This is especially due'to the fact that each of these p'reselecting switches by itself has a very small width and that therefore there is practically no space available for soldering these connections on two adjacent switchplates. j 3

There is another switch of a known design in which at one side of the selecting wheel a plate isprovided which carries contact strips and is located adjacent to aswitchplate which is proved provided with contact springs in the form of spring wires which project through apertures in the switchplate. The contact springs and contact strips are designed and arranged so that the switch has binary readout connections. Since this switch is provided with only one switchplate, there are no difticulties in soldering the connecting wires thereon. It is, however, in many cases desirable to provide connecting strips in two different planes so that two switch functions may always be carried out simultaneously. Thus, for example, itis often desirable to attain simultaneously decimal readout connections in one plane and coded or binary readout connections in the other plane.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a preselecting switch of the type as first-described above which is designed so as to overcome the mentioned disadvantages.

. According to the invention, this object a is attained by dividing the selecting wheel into two discs which are rigidly connected to each other but are separated from each other by a switchplate and to provide each side of the switchplate and the side of the disc a facing this side either with contact springs or with contact strips which re are associated with each other.

The preselecting switch according-to the invention is therefore provided with two sets of contact strips in two different planes, even though it has only one switchplates. This switchplate may be easily designed so as to have sufficient space to permit the connecting wires to be easily and properly solder to its contact strips and, since the switchplate of each switch is separated from that of the adjacent switch of a bank of these switches by two intermediate discs, each of which forms approximately one-half of the selecting wheel of one switch, there is adequate space available for properly soldering the connecting wiresto all of the switchplates of the set without danger that the individual soldered connections might come in contact with each other. The two discs of each selecting wheel and the two sides of the sw switchplate may either be designed so that each of these discs carries contact springs, while the two sides of the switch plate carry the associated contact strips, or that each of the discs is provided with contact strips, while to the two sides of the switchplate carry the associated contact springs, or that one side of the switchplate is provided with contact springs and the associated disc with contact strips, while the other side of the switchplate carries contact strips and the s associated disc carries contact springs.

One of the two discs of the selecting wheel is preferably made of a starlike or serrated shape so that at least one or another of its prongs or teeth projects through the switch housing to the front side thereof, while the other disc has a circular shape and different symbols marked on its peripheral surface to indicate the respective positions to which the selecting wheel a is adjusted. This division of the selecting wheel permits, for example, the star-shaped disc to be made of a material of the same color as the switch housing, while the circular disc on which the symbols are marked may be made of an entirely different color so that the symbols strongly contrast from the other parts of the switch and may thus be read very easily and accurately.

The contact springs on one side of the switch plate preferably consist of long narrow spring plates which are connected near one end to the switchplate by a transverse connecting bar, while their other free ends engage resiliently upon the associated selecting wheel which is provided with contact strips. Due to this construction, the contact springs require very little space and if desired they is may also be provided on both sides of the switchplate. This is of course not possible in the known switch construction as previously described in which the contact springs consist of spring wires which project through apertures in the switchplate.

In order to permit the switch to be made of a very small width, it is advisable to provide the.switchplate with recesses in which the contact springs may then be located and produce the contact strips .on the selecting wheel directly on the recesses in which the contact strips on the selecting wheel directly on the respective surfaces of the discs of the this wheel, for example, by printing them in a conventional manner. The contact springs on the selecting wheel are then preferably mounted on the sides of the discs which are averted from the switchplate and from the switchplate and are pro- For properly and safely soldering the connecting wires to the contact strips of the switchplate, the latter and each contact strip thereon may be provided with corresponding apertures through which the connectingwires may be inserted. lf contact strips are provided on both sides of the switchplate, the soldered connections on one side of the plate are offset relative to those on the other side. This insures that the individual soldered connections will not come in contact with each other. if one side of the switchplate is provided with contact strips, the connecting wires for the contact springs are preferably soldered to the ends of these springs which are bend away from the plane of the switchplate, while the connecting wires of for the contact strips are soldered to the ends I of the latter underneath the soldered connections on the cur- The features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I shows preselection exploded perspective view of a preselecting switch according to the invention without it hous- FIG. 2 shows an elevation of the side of the symbol-carrying disc of the selecting wheel which faces the switchplate;

H6. 3 shows a cross section which is taken along the line lll-lll of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an elevation of the side of the symbol-carrying disc opposite to that as shown in FIG. 2';

FIG. 5 shows an elevation of a switchplate according to FIG. 1, which is provided on one side with contact springs and on the other side with contact strips;

FIG. 6 shows a cross section which is taken along the line Vl-Vl of FIG. 5; while FIG. 7 shows an elevation of a switchplate which is provided on both sides with contact strips.

In the drawings, FIG. I shows an exposed view of a preselecting switch according to the invention, the essential parts of which are shown separately in FIGS. 2 to 6 and comprise a switchplate l which carries contact strips 2 on one side which are preferably printed in a conventional manner on plate 1, and contact springs 3 on its'other side which are disposed in recesses 4 and are connected to the switchplate l by means of a crossbar 5. These contact springs 3 consist of spring plates the'free ends of which carry contact nipples, while their fixed ends 6 are bent behind the crossbar 5 away from the plane of switchplate 1. These bent ends form the terminals of the contact springs 3 to which connecting wires are to soldered, while the ends of the connecting wires for the contact strips 2 on the other side of switchplate l are to be passed through bores 7 extending through plate 1 and to be inserted into corresponding bores in the ends of contact strips 2 to which they are then to be soldered. Since the terminals 6 are bent away from the plane of plate 1, there is no danger that the connecting wires which are to be soldered thereto might come in contact with the connecting wires for the contact strips 2 which are inserted into the bores 7 underneath and at a considerable distance from the terminals 6. I

At the side of switchplate l which carries the contact strips 2 a disc 8 is located the peripheral surface of which is provided with figures or other symbols which designate the particular position to which the switch is adjusted. This disc 8 has a central noncircular aperture 13 for being rigidly mounted on the corresponding noncircular end 12 of a shaft 11 which extends through and is rotatable in a circular aperture 9 in the switchplate 1 and the other end of which is secured to a starshaped disc 10. The side of the symbol-carrying disc 8 which is averted from the switch plate 1 carries two contact springs 14 the free ends of which are provided with contact nipples l6 which project through apertures 15 in disc 8 and are pressed by the contact springs 14 against the contact strips 2 on switch plate 1. The same side of disc 8 which carries the contact springs 14 also carries a stop spring 17 which is associated with suitable parts of the housing not shown and is adapted to arrest the switch in the particular position to which it is adjusted.

The side of the star-shaped disc 10 which faces the side of switchplate 1 carrying the contact springs 3 is provided with contact strips 18 which are associated with the contact springs 3 in such a manner that a coded or binary readout will be attained by these contact springs and contact strips.

This construction of the preselecting switch according to the invention therefore permits each switch position to attain at the same time and by means of the same switch a decimal readout as well as a coded or binary readout. Furthermore, from the above description and from the drawings it is evident that the proper soldered connections of the respective connecting wires may always be easily made even through several of these switches are laterally connected to and combined with each so as to form a bank of such switches, since each switch is provided with only one switch plate which is located approximately at the center of the switch and the switchplates of the adjacent switches are, therefore. always spaced at a sufficiently large distance from each other to permit the connecting wires to be easily soldered to the respective contact strips and contact springs.

FIG. 7 illustrates a switchplate according to another embodiment of the invention. This switchplate is provided with contact strips not only on the side as shown, but also with similar contact strips on the other side. As indicated by the bores 7 in the switchplate, the individual connecting strips on one side of the switchplate are laterally offset relative to the connecting strips on the other side of the plate. The connecting wires for both sides of the switchplate may thus be soldered to their respective contact strips without any danger that they might come in contact with each other. A switchplate of this type of course requires both discs 8 and 10 of the selecting wheel to be provided with contact springs which are adapted to slide over the contact strips of the switchplate. p

in reverse to the switch construction as last described it is, of course, also possible to provide both sides of the switchplate with contact springs which are then operatively associated with contact strips on the two discs 8 and 10. The contact springs and contact strips on the switchplate and/or on the discs of the selecting wheel may, of course, also be made of any desired shape and arrangement described and illustrated.

l claim:

l. A multiposition preselection switch comprising a switch plate having conductors disposed on both sides thereof, a pair of switch wheels abutting the sides of said switchplate and being provided with conductors on the sides thereof abutting said plate for engaging the conductors disposed on the sides of said plate abutting said wheels, to thereby form sets of engaging conductors, wherein each set of engaging conductors comprises a conductive strip disposed on one of said sides and a spring contact disposed in a recessed portion of the other side facing and abutting said one of said sides.

2. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the conductors on each side of said switchplate are of the same form.

3. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the conductors on one side of said switchplate are in the form of spring contacts and the conductors on the other side thereof are in the form of conductive strips.

4. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim ,1, wherein the spring contacts of said sets of conductors are disposed on at least one of the side of said switchplate.

5. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim I, wherein the spring contacts of said sets of conductors are disposed on at least one of said switch wheels.

6. A multiposition preselection switchaccording to claim 1,

other than those as wherein the conductive strips of said sets, of conductors are disposed on at least one of the sides of said switchplate.

7. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 2, wherein the spring contacts of said sets of conductors are disposed on the sides of said switchplate.

8. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1 wherein each of said switch wheels is provided with means for forcing said wheels into abutting relationship with said plate while permitting said wheels to rotate about a common axis.

9. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 8, wherein said switchplate has an aperture through which said means forcing said wheels into abutting relationship are extended and connected together, whereby said wheels rotate in synchronism.

10. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 8. wherein one of said wheels of said pair has a serrated starlike shape with outwardly projecting teeth at least one of which projects over the edge of said switch plate for any rotative position of said wheels.

II. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 10. wherein the other of said wheels of said pair has a circular outer shape and symbols marked thereon for indicating the position to which said pair of wheels has been rotated.

12. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 6, wherein said spring contact on at least one of said wheels are on the side thereof opposite the side abutting said switchplatc. each of said spring contacts having a contact nipple projecting through an aperture in said at least one of said wheels toward the side of said switchplate and adapted to engage resiliently with conductive strips thereonr 13. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim with corresponding apertures near one end thereof through which connecting wires are to he passed for being soldered to said conductive strips.

15. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 5, wherein said switchplate and said conductive strips are provided with corresponding apertures, with the apertures for the connecting wires for the conductive strips on one side of said switch plate being laterally offset relative to the apertures for the connecting wires for the conductive strips on the opposite side of said switchplatc.

l6. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 3, wherein each of said conductive strips and said spring contacts have one end forming a terminal adapted for soldering a connecting wire thereto, said terminal ends of said spring contacts being bent away from said switchplatc. said plate and said terminal ends of conductive strips having corresponding bores for inserting connecting wires therein and for soldering the same to said conductive strips. 

1. A multiposition preselection switch comprising a switch plate having conductors disposed on both sides thereof, a pair of switch wheels abutting the sides of said switchplate and being provided with conductors on the sides thereof abutting said plate for engaging the conductors disposed on the sides of said plate abutting saiD wheels, to thereby form sets of engaging conductors, wherein each set of engaging conductors comprises a conductive strip disposed on one of said sides and a spring contact disposed in a recessed portion of the other side facing and abutting said one of said sides.
 2. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the conductors on each side of said switchplate are of the same form.
 3. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the conductors on one side of said switchplate are in the form of spring contacts and the conductors on the other side thereof are in the form of conductive strips.
 4. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the spring contacts of said sets of conductors are disposed on at least one of the side of said switchplate.
 5. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the spring contacts of said sets of conductors are disposed on at least one of said switch wheels.
 6. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein the conductive strips of said sets of conductors are disposed on at least one of the sides of said switchplate.
 7. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 2, wherein the spring contacts of said sets of conductors are disposed on the sides of said switchplate.
 8. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 1, wherein each of said switch wheels is provided with means for forcing said wheels into abutting relationship with said plate while permitting said wheels to rotate about a common axis.
 9. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 8, wherein said switchplate has an aperture through which said means forcing said wheels into abutting relationship are extended and connected together, whereby said wheels rotate in synchronism.
 10. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 8, wherein one of said wheels of said pair has a serrated starlike shape with outwardly projecting teeth at least one of which projects over the edge of said switch plate for any rotative position of said wheels.
 11. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 10, wherein the other of said wheels of said pair has a circular outer shape and symbols marked thereon for indicating the position to which said pair of wheels has been rotated.
 12. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 6, wherein said spring contact on at least one of said wheels are on the side thereof opposite the side abutting said switchplate, each of said spring contacts having a contact nipple projecting through an aperture in said at least one of said wheels toward the side of said switchplate and adapted to engage resiliently with conductive strips thereon.
 13. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 4, wherein said spring contacts comprise a plurality of relatively long and narrow spring plates, and wherein said switchplate is provided with a crossbar connecting all of said spring contacts on one side of said switchplate near one end thereof.
 14. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 6, wherein said switchplate and conductive strips are provided with corresponding apertures near one end thereof through which connecting wires are to be passed for being soldered to said conductive strips.
 15. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 5, wherein said switchplate and said conductive strips are provided with corresponding apertures, with the apertures for the connecting wires for the conductive strips on one side of said switch plate being laterally offset relative to the apertures for the connecting wires for the conductive strips on the opposite side of said switchplate.
 16. A multiposition preselection switch according to claim 3, wherein each of said conductive strips and said spring contacts have one end forming a terminal adapted for soldering a connecting wire thereto, said terminal ends of said spring contacts being bent away from said Switchplate, said plate and said terminal ends of conductive strips having corresponding bores for inserting connecting wires therein and for soldering the same to said conductive strips. 